The analysis of the relationship between transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) and clinical, morphological and immunophenotypic characteristics of breast cancer: retrospective cohort study

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Abstract

Background. Transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) expression has been identified in a number of malignant tumors. It is noted that its overexpression gives growth advantages to cancer cells. Estimation of transferrin receptor expression in breast cancer (BC) might be an important component in disease prognosis, choice of treatment, also might be an attractive target for targeted therapy.

Aim. To evaluate the expression of TfR1 by BC cells and to study its relationship with the clinical, morphological and immunophenotypic characteristics of the tumor.

Materials and methods. This study included 82 patients with BC who received treatment at the Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology (Moscow). The expression of TfR1 on primary tumor cells was studied, the relationship of TfR1 with clinical, morphological and immunophenotypic characteristics of BC was analyzed. Immunophenotyping of the primary tumor was performed by the immunohistochemical method (immunofluorescent staining) on cryostat sections. Antibodies to CD71, CD95, CD54, CD29, MUC1, Pgp170 were used. The reaction was evaluated using a luminescent microscope (AXIOSKOP, Germany). The study was dominated by patients with stage IIB – 54% and IIIB – 21%. Infiltrative ductal BC was diagnosed in 67% (n=55) of patients, infiltrative-lobular – in 22% (n=18) of cases, other types – in 11.0% (n=9).

Results. BC cells expressed TfR1 in most cases (64.4%; n=61). A combination of TfR1 monomorphic expression with MUC1 monomorphic expression (74.4%; n=47) was noted. CD29 is presented both mosaic (38.7%) and monomorphic (51.6%). The Pgp170 antigen was monomorphically observed in 27.5% of cases. As the proportion of TfR+ cells increased, the expression frequency of the adhesion molecule CD54 increased from 10.5 to 33.3%, a positive correlation was established (r=0.293; p=0.008). In the group with TfR1 monomorphic expression, the frequency of tumors expressing the CD95 apoptosis molecule decreased: 25.0% vs 13% (p=0.042).

Conclusion. BC cells overexpress TfR1. TfR1 expression is associated with tumor immunophenotype.

About the authors

Svetlana V. Chulkova

Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology; Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University

Author for correspondence.
Email: chulkova@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-4412-5019

Cand. Sci. (Med.), Assoc. Prof.

Russian Federation, Moscow; Moscow

Elena N. Sholokhova

Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology

Email: enshell@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-1456-1904

Cand. Sci. (Med.)

Russian Federation, Moscow

Irina V. Poddubnaya

Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education

Email: chulkova@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-0995-1801
SPIN-code: 1146-9889

D. Sci. (Med.), Prof., Acad. RAS

Russian Federation, Moscow

Ivan S. Stilidi

Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology; Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University

Email: chulkova@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-0493-1166

D. Sci. (Med.), Prof., Acad. RAS

Russian Federation, Moscow; Moscow

Nikolai N. Tupitsyn

Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology

Email: chulkova@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-3966-128X

D. Sci. (Med.), Prof.

Russian Federation, Moscow

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Supplementary files

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2. Fig. 1. Transferrin receptor expression depending on the stage of breast cancer.

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3. Fig. 2. Transferrin receptor expression depending on the histological type of breast cancer.

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4. Fig. 3. Relationship of CD54 and transferrin receptor expression.

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